3 Ways to Earn Money for Camp

Where are you going camping this summer? We ask because we would like to invite you to attend one of our great camps and experience the greatest high adventure offered in the state (as well as excellent opportunities for boys to earn advancements, learn new skills and have fun!) Camping and outdoor adventure is what Scouts want; adults need these experiences to help instill Scouting values in their youth. But here are reasons some boys don’t make it to camp (i.e. vacation, summer school, or sports) just don’t let money be the reason not to go.

These programs are all in place to help your boys earn a 2014 credit for any summer Camp or Timberline NYLT, Varsity All Stars, or Kodiak Training Course in Utah National Parks Council!

Idea #1: EXPO/Camp Cards

Utah National Parks Council’s longest standing money-earning project, is ticket sales for the Utah Scouting EXPO, May 17. Only this year, it’s on steroids since we have partnered to sell camp cards; each sale to helps to pay for Scout camp and gets the buyer local coupons and a family ticket to the EXPO.

According to the LDS Scouting Handbook 8.13: “Scouting units may participate in Scout Shows, Camporees, and other BSA activities involving the sale of tickets by boys or young men, as long as all other budget allowance guidelines are met.” Camp Cards can be sold individually by youth independent of their pack, troop, team or crew. Prizes can also be earned for Scouts that sell camp cards.

Idea #2: Popcorn Sales

Each fall, the Council’s biggest annual fundraiser is popcorn sales. But with on-line sales scouts can sell popcorn year-round and reach friends and family who live far away, by setting this up directly with Trail’s End Popcorn. There is no product delivery or money collection.

Teresa Barnett, in her video below, helps parents understand how to help their son succeed. She uses the fundraiser to build program including belt loops and the Salesmanship Merit Badge.

Last year, Jared Shepard, a Cub Scout in Pack 15, chartered by the LDS Highland 1st Ward,in Highland Utah, sold nearly a thousand dollars’ worth of popcorn. His father said, “This is the best way to sell to your friends and family who live out of town. You can send emails to your customers asking them to purchase Trail’s End products online. Your customers click on the link in your email and can begin shopping right away. They order products online and pay with a credit card, and Trail’s End ships the products directly to your customers.”

Idea #3: HybridLight Flashlight Sales

Another Council sponsor is HybridLight who offer a solar flash light that seems to fit our market well. In The Boy Scout, July 18, 2013 issue, Jacob Krogue, the Venturing Crew President from an Alpine, Utah community Crew, explains how successful this was for Venturers heading to Jamboree, “The popcorn sales were great until after Christmas,” he said. “We struggled keeping popcorn sales going, so we moved to lawn aeration and selling HybridLight solar flashlights. They sold like crazy.” On average last year, Scouts sold 28 flashlights each.

Like popcorn, the HybridLight sales program has convenient ordering and stress-free inventory, since there is none to manage; all shipping and handling is taken care of by the company. If you are interested in participating click the link above and submit your information. Keep an eye out for information on the sale, which starts Saturday, March 29th and ends on Wednesday, April 30th.

For more information and to sign up for HybridLight sales click here or go to the main www.utahsocuts.org and click on the flashlight on right hand side of the page. Please note that all show and Sale orders are due Wednesday, March 17th

Bonus Ideas:

In one weekend of product sales or other fundraising, a Scout can earn enough to pay for a year’s worth of adventures. There are so many other ways to make this happen. Some more examples:

Flag subscriptions for holidays where everyone in the neighborhood pays $25 a year for flags to be displayed in their yards on holidays. (Whew, what a bunch of work for the Scouters in those units!)

Another idea that works is to solicit members of chartered organizations or neighbors to see if they need lawn care, babysitting services, window washing, etc. This gives Scouts a chance to set up a small service corps as they learn to pay their own way.

Conclusion

Any money-earning project should be about helping Scouts and their families to find a fundraiser to get their boy to camp. Paying your own way is a fundamental principle of the Boy Scouts of America. Young people in Scouting are taught early that if they want something, they can earn it. The finance plan of any unit should include participation by all Scouts.

Author: Darryl Alder | Director of Support Services, Utah National Parks Council